Museum Tinguely

Jean Tinguely grew up in Basel, and as a result you can come across his sculptures all across the city, with a dedicated museum in the east of the city. It was my standout museum of the many I visited.

The museum is a perfect stop before a short walk to the river and a swim down the Rhine.

Wide photo of pale green room with several red mechanical sculptures in the middle.
Plateau agriculturel, 1978, by Jean Tinguely

The museum has a great collection of exhibits, many of them interactive. Big buttons adorn the floor letting you animate them in unexpected ways. I also have to give great credit to the staff - who were super friendly and encouraged people to explore / take photos / point out things they’d miss. It must be quite a zoo when school kids are visiting.

A large mechanical metal sculpture in a room - made from several car parts.
Pit-Stop, 1984, by Jean Tinguely
A dark room filled with many eery metallic sculptures by Jean Tinguely.
Mengele – danse macabre, 1986, by Jean Tinguely
Miostar No. 2, 1974, by Jean Tinguely
unknown, by Jean Tinguely
Frigo Duchamp, 1960, by Jean Tinguely

Too early to Panic #

Museum Tinguely had a temporary exhibit by Gerda Steiner & Jörg Lenzlinger. A mix of hallucinogenic displays and interactive experiences. It reminded me of some of the weirder bits of Secret Cinema.

A photo of two light panels displaying photos of microscopic objects.
Part of the exhibition ‘Too early to Panic’, by Gerda Steiner & Jörg Lenzlinger
A close photo of a model of a lizard with flowers growing out of it’s back.
Part of the exhibition ‘Too early to Panic’, by Gerda Steiner & Jörg Lenzlinger
Many brightly coloured abstract forms are suspended from the ceiling of a pale blue room.
Part of the exhibition ‘Too early to Panic’, by Gerda Steiner & Jörg Lenzlinger